Improved bow body and bow thereof

ABSTRACT

A bow body ( 8 ) comprising a frame provided with a grip ( 12 ), the frame having a first and second arm ( 16, 20 ) which extend from said grip ( 12 ) towards a first and a second end ( 24, 28 ) respectively, said ends ( 24, 28 ) being fitted with attachments ( 32 ) for associable limbs ( 36 ) suitable for supporting a string. The frame comprises at least one pocket or lightening ( 40 ) positioned on at least one of said arms ( 16, 20 ). Advantageously, the bow body ( 8 ) comprises at least one insert ( 44 ), applied to close the pocket ( 40 ) so as to form a wind bracing for the pocket, the insert ( 44 ) constituting a stiffening of the frame at the point of the pocket ( 40 ).

The present invention relates to an improved bow body and the relative bow comprising said body.

A bow is an instrument formed of a grip, a central part (called riser) and two flexible half-bows (called limbs), each of which ends in a tip provided with a notch for housing the string. The bow is armed by means of a single string connected directly to the bow by means of two special housings. In use, the bow is held at the grip while the fingers of the other hand draw, hold and release the string. The bow is an instrument used to propel an arrow by transferring the energy stored therein following the tightening and subsequent release of the string tied its ends. Modern sports provide for several types of bow.

In particular, there is the so-called bare bow: such type relates to bows with no sight or supplementary stabilising system. Only a rest for the arrow, an elastic button (called Berger button) and a system of weights stabilising the action at the moment of release, are allowed.

The Olympic bow category also exists, comprising traditional bows divided into three parts (TD or take-down), these being: a central body (riser) and two limbs attached to the riser by means of skates or screws and joined to each other by a string. Numerous accessories may be added: sight, stabilisation system, arrow rest, clicker, elastic or Berger button, etc.

Lastly, so-called compound bows exist, fitted with particular systems of de-multiplication of the power by means of eccentric pulleys.

Whatever the type or use, modern bows are mainly composed of the following elements, or: two limbs representing the flexible and elastic part of the bow, a string, composed of a series of threads or strands twisted starting from the end so as to ensure robustness and elasticity, a central body or riser which constitutes the part of the bow held in the hand by means of the grip, for drawing.

Various types made from different materials (wood, aluminium, carbon etc.) and of various lengths exist, made using different methods. In the TD (“take-down”, which can be taken apart) bows, the riser constitutes the support on which the limbs are mounted but also the support for many accessories such as the sight, button, rest, clicker etc.

As known, during use the bow “system” is subjected to various stresses, deriving from the fact that not all the energy generated at the moment of releasing the string is transmitted to the arrow, but, on the contrary, a large part thereof returns to the bow system in the form of shifts/translations having different directions and paths, as well as vibrations and noises which besides disturbing the archer (or the game in the case of hunting bows) modify the ideal trajectory of the arrow.

The control of this return energy is one of the objectives pursued by various damper/stabilisation systems of different craftsmanship, which have been applied to bows over the years. To optimise firing performance it is therefore necessary for the bow to have the right characteristics of “weight”, resistance, stability and precision.

As regards the weight, too heavy a bow, despite efficiently absorbing most of the unwanted stresses, tires the archer excessively during firing, thereby detracting from precision; conversely, too light a bow, despite being much more comfortable to use, is less resistant to the lateral and rotary thrusts generated by firing itself, as well as generating an excessive quantity of vibrations.

As regards resistance, this is understood as the capacity of the riser to resist the thrusts of flexion/compression/torsion/etc generated by the release of the string and of the limbs before, during and after firing.

The stability of the bow may be understood as the constancy and repeatability of the bow's performance both during the firing action and over time.

Lastly, the precision is essentially given by the ideal combination of weight, resistance, stability, balance and the capacity to damp and/or absorb the vibrations of the bow during firing.

It is also known that given its length and weight, often double or triple the sum of all the other components of the system, it is the body of the bow or riser which is the main stabilising element of the system, and it is therefore well-known that acting on the riser is generally the best method for improving the bow. To such purpose, the construction of risers has evolved over the years with the aim of making increasingly precise and comfortable risers, changing the materials used for the manufacture thereof and varying the shape and weight so as to find the ideal ratio.

For example risers have been made from composite (carbon) fibre having the advantage of being extremely light, and therefore more comfortable to use, but precisely for this reason having a low capacity to absorb vibrations and unwanted force momenta.

As a demonstration and in the attempt, only partially successful, to minimise the problem, very often metal cores are inserted inside the carbon riser affecting all or part of the total length thereof. Moreover carbon, by its very nature, is excessively rigid and gives way suddenly once it reaches its rupture limit. As well as this, it is to be noted that a carbon riser presents numerous problems related to the attachment of the accessories; given its intrinsic rigidity the attachments of the limbs and other accessories are particularly subject to rupture, forcing the user to replace the whole riser.

It is also known of in the art to make risers from metal usually from aluminium or other lightweight alloys. Such metal risers, compared to those made from composite materials, are more resistant to the various force momenta created by firing, and therefore more stable: they absorb the vibrations much better but are also characterised by a greater weight and therefore less comfortable for the archer.

To reduce the weight and provide basic balance, through holes or pockets are usually made on the sides of the riser, but in any case of limited total dimensions, so as not to jeopardise the necessary resistance to normal traction/compression of the front and rear sides, but also and above all on the lateral (broad) sides subject to stress.

As may be noted from the above analysis, the solutions of the prior art have disadvantages. A bow does not therefore exist in the art which guarantees an optimal solution of the characteristics of weight, resistance, stability and precision. All the known solution represent compromises of the characteristics mentioned forcing the user to forego comfort for performance or vice versa.

The purpose of the present invention is to make a bow which overcomes the drawbacks mentioned with reference to the prior art.

Such drawbacks and limitations are resolved by a bow body according to claim 1, and by a bow according to claim 14.

Other embodiments of the present invention are described in the subsequent claims.

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly comprehensible from the description given below of its preferred and non-limiting embodiments, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, in an assembled configuration, of a bow according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, in separate parts, of a bow according to the present invention;

FIGS. 3-6 show side views of the bow body in FIG. 2, in an assembled configuration;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view, in an assembled configuration, of a bow body according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 8-9 show side views of the bow body in FIG. 7.

The elements or parts of elements common to the embodiments described below will be indicated using the same reference numerals.

With reference to the aforementioned figures, reference numeral 4 globally denotes a bow comprising a bow body 8 having a frame provided with a grip 12, ergonomically shaped to favour its gripping by an archer.

The bow body 8 is at least partially made from metallic material, preferably from a lightweight alloy, such as an aluminium alloy for example. It is also possible to use further materials, for example such as polymer materials.

The frame of the bow body 8 comprises a first and a second arm 16, 20 which extend from said grip 12 towards a first and a second end 24, 28 respectively.

Such ends 24, 28 are fitted with attachments 32 for associable limbs 36 suitable for supporting a string (not shown). In particular, the end of a string for loading a relative arrow is attached to each limb 36 in the known manner.

The frame is provided with at least one pocket or lightening 40 positioned on at least one of said arms 16, 20.

A pocket or lightening 40 is generally understood to mean a notch, recess, opening, hole, a portion of material removed so as to reduce the resistant section of the frame and thereby the weight thereof.

Advantageously, the bow body 8 comprises at least one insert 44 applied to close the pocket 40 so as to form a wind bracing for such pocket In other words, the insert 44 constitutes a stiffening of the frame at the point of the pocket.

The inserts 44 are made from polymer, metal and/or carbon materials. Obviously alternative materials may also be used.

According to one embodiment, the insert 44 is in the shape of a plug provided with a perimetral edge 48 suitable for being inserted and positioned at least partially in contact with an inner lateral wall 52 of the pocket 40, wherein the perimetral edge 48 forms a snap-coupling with said inner lateral wall 52. In other words, the perimetral edge 48 is counter-shaped to the inner lateral wall 52 so as to form therewith a shaped coupling. Preferably, such shaped coupling is forced, that is without clearance: this way the insert cannot move around inside the pocket 40, but is forced inside it so as to perform the stiffening and wind bracing function of the pocket 40.

The insert 44 may be in the shape of a cheek at least partially overlapping the pocket 40, the cheek being attached to at least one stop wall 56 adjacent to the pocket 40 by means of the interposition of removable and/or movable attachment means 58, such as for example snap attachment mechanisms or screws. The attachment of the cheek to the stop wall 56 must be such as to prevent any movement of the cheek in relation to the pocket 40: in other words, the cheek must be rigidly attached to the frame so as to constitute a wind-bracing for the frame itself.

The insert 44, in the shape of a cheek at partially overlapping the pocket 40, may also be attached to the stop wall 56 adjacent to the pocket 40 by means of gluing and/or welding.

According to a possible embodiment, the insert 44 may in turn present lightening apertures.

As seen, the pockets 40 or lightenings are seats or cavities made on the frame; preferably said pockets 40 are through apertures of the frame.

According to one embodiment, the inserts 44 identify closed spaces with said pockets 40, and inside said closed spaces, vibration damper means 60 are housed.

In other words, the inserts 44 constitute the bottom walls of closed spaces, defined by the pockets 40.

According to a further embodiment, the inserts 44 are made by means of closed hollow bodies 64 inside which the vibration damper means 60 are housed.

According to one embodiment, the vibration damper means 60 are mechanical and/or electronic and/or hydraulic systems of inertial damping, so as to stabilise the bow 4 and dampen the vibrations of the same.

It is also possible to use, as vibration damper means 60, a damper fluid which fills the spaces made in the pockets 40 at least partially.

In a further embodiment, the pocket or lightening 40 is positioned on a portion of the bow body 8 which supports the grip 12. In such configuration the inserts are also positioned at the grip of the bow body.

As may be seen from the description, the bow body according to the invention makes it possible to overcome the drawbacks presented in the prior art.

In particular, the solution of the present invention makes it possible to obtain a bow body, and therefore a bow, having optimal characteristics of weight, resistance, stability and precision.

The structure is in fact overall lightweight given that despite being made from alloy and not composite fibre, it employs pockets and lightenings which considerably reduce the overall weight.

Such reduction in weight in no way detracts from the properties of resistance, stability and precision.

In fact, the reduction of resistance caused by the pockets and lightenings is offset by the presence of inserts or cheeks which have a structural function of stiffening the frame of the riser.

Such inserts therefore make the structure stronger limiting the vibrations and flexions thereof; in addition such inserts also act as dissipators or dampers of the vibrations.

This way on the one hand the weight is reduced, thanks to the presence of the pockets and lightenings, and on the other the loss of rigidity and damper capacity is offset thanks to the use of inserts or cheeks having a structural and damper function for the frame of the riser.

Moreover, materials of various types (for example lead) may be inserted in the pockets so as to increase the weight in specific areas of the bow, and/or to vary its balance and stability.

As a result the bow according to the present invention is completely modifiable and can be customised as needed both in terms of damping of the vibrations and in terms of distribution of the weights. The inserts and damper means may in fact be applied, removed and replaced in a reversible and non-destructive manner.

A further advantage of the present invention is given by the use of a damper and/or stabilisation system integrated in the riser and therefore not applied externally as happens in the solutions of the prior art.

A person skilled in the art may make numerous modifications and variations to the bow bodies described above so as, to satisfy contingent and specific requirements, while remaining within the sphere of protection of the invention as defined by the following claims. 

1. Body of a bow (8) comprising a frame provided with a grip (12), the frame having a first and second arm (16, 20) which extend from said grip (12) towards a first and second end (24, 28) respectively, said ends (24, 28) being fitted with attachments (32) for associable limbs (36) suitable for supporting a string, the frame being provided with at least one pocket or lightening (40) positioned on at least one of said arms (16, 20), characterised by the fact that the body of the bow (8) comprises at least one insert (44), wherein said insert (44) is applied to close said pocket (40) so as to form a wind bracing for such pocket, the inert (44) constituting a stiffening of the frame at the point of the pocket (40).
 2. Body of a bow (4) according to claim 1, wherein the insert (44) is in the shape of a plug provided with perimetral edge (48) suitable for being inserted and positioned at least partially in contact with an inner lateral wall (52) of the pocket (40), the perimetral edge (48) forming a snap-coupling with said internal lateral wall (52).
 3. Bow body (4) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the insert (44) is in the shape of a cheek at least partially overlapping the pocket (40) so as to cover it, the cheek being attached to a stop wall (56) adjacent to the pocket (40) by means of the interposition of removable and/or movable attachment means (58).
 4. Body of a bow (4) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the insert (44) is in the shape of a cheek at partially overlapping the pocket (40) so as to cover it, the cheek being attached to at least a stop wall (56) adjacent to the pocket (40) by means of gluing and/or welding.
 5. Bow body (4) according to any of the previous claims, wherein said insert (44) in turn has lightening apertures.
 6. Bow body (4) according to any of the previous claims, wherein said pockets (40) or lightenings are through apertures of the frame of the bow body frame (8).
 7. Bow body (4) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the bow body (8) is made at least partially in metallic material and/or lightweight alloy.
 8. Bow body (4) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the inserts (44) are made in polymer, metallic materials and/or in carbon.
 9. Bow body (4) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the inserts (44) identify closed spaces with said pockets, and wherein inside said closed volumes vibration damper means (60) are housed.
 10. Bow body (4) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the inserts (44) are made by means of closed hollow bodies (64) inside which vibration damper means (60) are housed.
 11. Bow body (4) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein said vibration damper means (60) are mechanical and/or electronic and/or hydraulic systems of inertial damping, so as to stabilise the bow (4) and dampen the vibrations of the same.
 12. Bow body (4) according to, claim 9, 10 or 11, wherein said vibration damper means (60) comprise a damper fluid which fills the spaces made in the pockets (40) at least partially.
 13. Bow body (4) according to any of the previous claims, wherein at least one pocket (40) or lightening is positioned on a portion of the bow body (8) which supports the grip (12).
 14. Bow (4) comprising a bow body (8) according to any of the previous claims, and further comprising two limbs (36) each joined to one end (24, 28) of the relative arm (16, 20) of the bow body (8), the end of a string for loading a relative arrow being joined to each limb (36). 